Entering the contest, Swarthmore had won nine matches in a row, including a streak of 27 straight sets. The Garnet improved that streak to 28 straight sets with a 26-24 victory in the first. In the second, F&M fell behind early to Swarthmore. With the score 4-1 in favor of the Garnet, the Diplomats went on a 5-1 run to take the 6-5 lead. Both squads exchanged points until a Caroline Hubbard ace put F&M up 13-10. The Diplomats kept the lead through the final half of the set, winning 25-23 and evening the match 1-1.

F&M dominated the third set with a 25-15 win. The Garnet started out strong, winning seven of the first eight points before a 6-1 run by the Diplomats tied the set 8-8. A block by Julie Harvey eventually gave F&M the 10-9 lead. With the score 11-10, the Diplomats hit their stride, going on a 14-5 run to close out the third.

Heading into the fourth set with a 2-1 advantage, F&M battled Swarthmore to a 4-4 tie early in the frame. A 6-0 run by the Diplomats gave them the 10-4 lead. During the run Caitlin Krutsick was sharp from behind the line, landing back-to-back aces. F&M brought Swarthmore to the brink of its first loss in nine matches with a 24-16 score. On match point for the Diplomats an errant Garnet serve sailed wide out of bounds to seal the 3-1 F&M victory.